"Robbins stated, 'There were several discussions initiated by No 10 with me about potentially finding a head of mission opportunity for Matthew Doyle, who was then the prime minister's director of communications.'"
"'I was under strict instruction not to discuss that with the then foreign secretary,' Robbins added, highlighting the pressure from government officials to place political figures in diplomatic roles."
"'It was, to be honest, hard to find something that I thought might be suitable. But I also felt quite uncomfortable about it,' Robbins expressed regarding the challenges of the situation."
"'It was difficult for me, personally, honestly, as a leader, to explain why very talented and experienced individuals were being sidelined for these roles,' Robbins noted."
Downing Street exerted pressure on the Foreign Office to secure a diplomatic position for Matthew Doyle, Keir Starmer's communications chief. Olly Robbins revealed that he had multiple discussions with No 10 regarding this matter, while being instructed not to inform then Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Robbins expressed discomfort with the situation, noting the challenges in defending such appointments. He also mentioned that Doyle was involved in the vetting process for Peter Mandelson's ambassadorship and that there was a trend of appointing non-career diplomats to senior roles.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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